Thalie: the chic, intimate Greek restaurant in the heart of the Théâtre du Palais-Royal

The curtain rises on the restaurant Thalie, named after the mythological muse of comedy, a springtime opening. Nestled in the Jardin du Palais-Royal, this Greek dining spot has planted its flag at the heart of the legendary Palais-Royal Theatre to offer a fresh gastronomic stage led by renowned chef Andreas Mavrommatis, who signs here his latest project, a kind of heritage.

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Designed by architect Régis Botta, the intimate interior, with only about fifteen tables, prolongs the spirit of the comedy, paying tribute to the birth of theatre. We love the ceiling, where a massive checkerboard of mirrors creates reflections and unexpected perspectives, but also the muses hanging on the wall, a nod to the adjacent theatre, which light up as night falls.

A soft, rosy décor and immersive Greek music complete the escape, in a refined atmosphere, a space that opens up to sunny days on a terrace looking directly onto the garden paths. On the menu, the culinary journey begins right away, with high-quality Greek produce.

We start with the mézédès chauds et froid à partager, with the Spanakopita, a phyllo pastry stuffed with spinach, leek and Cretan cheese, boasting an impeccably crispy texture and pleasantly salty.

Her sister restaurant, L'Eliopita, generous with Kalamata olives, feta and manouri, will especially delight diners who relish the pronounced bitterness of the purple olive, which is very present. To keep things light, go for an ultra-fresh tzatziki with a warm, oven-fired pita, or opt for Dolmadès, those vine leaves stuffed with Greek rice, generously filled and irresistibly silky.

On the mains, it’s a retro-love-at-first-sight moment with the Soudjoukakia. These herbaceous beef meatballs simmered in a hearty cumin-infused tomato concasse and crowned with grilled feta instantly evoke childhood flavors, paired with melt-in-your-mouth pearls of Greek barley.

Food lovers of woodsy flavors will gravitate toward the Kritharaki, delicious little oat-like pasta cooked with mushrooms, adding a hearty bite and creating a superb play of textures with the crumble of grilled feta and the grated Kefalograviera cheese, whose refined, distinctive notes give real depth to the dish.

For dessert, freshness takes the spotlight with Mahalépi, an orange-blossom–infused milk cream whose bold flavor remains approachable, even for those who worry about an overly perfumed taste.

If you’re after pure indulgence, the hazelnut tart ticks all the boxes for comforting sweetness, striking a flawless balance between creamy filling and a crisp crust. And don’t overlook the sheep yogurt ice cream, served on a bed of very mild Greek honey—simple, yet delicious.

A small shop invites you to take home Greek specialties, from local honey and ouzo to olive oil and regional sea salt. A restaurant set in the Palais-Royal cloak inevitably comes with slightly steep prices. For lunch, two menus priced at 36 and 39 euros are available from 12:00 to 14:30 on weekdays.

For dinner, the "Avant-scène" package is available at €50 per person, drinks not included, in partnership with the Theatre, offering a pre-show dinner-and-performance evening ahead of your show, in this landmark of the dramatic arts since 1831.

Note that the indoor dining room is fairly small, so it is essential to reserve a table well in advance if you want to eat indoors, or you risk being steered toward the large terrace, at the mercy of the weather, or having to turn back.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.